On Tuesday, April 22, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) approved the Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget, officially authorizing a $1.89 billion investment in support of students, educators, and school operations.

“We are proud to present a fiscally responsible budget that meets the moment,” said Dr. Babur Lateef, Chairman At-Large of the Prince William County School Board. “Our educators deserve to be supported, and our students deserve the very best. We thank the Board of County Supervisors for recognizing the importance of this shared mission.”

The approved budget aligns with Vision 2025: Launching Thriving Futures, the PWCS Strategic Plan, and reflects the school division’s continued prioritization of student achievement, workforce support, and operational excellence. Approximately 80% of expenditures in the FY 2026 budget are dedicated to the instructional core: students, staff, and curriculum.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Board of County Supervisors and our community for their support of this budget,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. LaTanya D. McDade. “This investment directly supports our strategic priorities and will advance our commitment to ensuring every student has access to a thriving future.”

A significant highlight of the FY 2026 budget is implementing the first year of a historic two-year wage agreement, totaling more than $160 million. This includes back-to-back average pay raises of 7% in the first year and 6.4% in the second year, as well as adjustments to the certified pay scale and supplements at or above the regional median. Adjustments to the certified pay scale and supplements will ensure compensation remains competitive across the region.

In addition to compensation enhancements, the budget adds key positions and resources to bolster student services and classroom support. To further promote academic success and student well-being, the budget allocates $28.9 million toward Learning and Achievement for All initiatives. This includes hiring more educators to reduce English learner student-teacher ratios and increasing support personnel across schools.

The approved budget also reflects PWCS’ focus on strengthening school climate, increasing student engagement, and advancing mental health support, while enhancing overall security and safety measures divisionwide.

The full FY 2026 budget and additional resources can be found on the PWCS Budget website.